Court Blocks Reinstatement of Fired Federal Employees
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a stay halting a lower court’s order that required several federal agencies to reinstate approximately 16,000 probationary employees dismissed during the Trump administration. The pause allows litigation to continue without forcing the federal government to immediately bring the affected workers back.
Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the majority’s unsigned decision. The ruling focused on claims brought by nonprofit groups, whose legal standing was questioned by the Court.
Multiple Cases, Conflicting Rulings
While the ruling blocks reinstatement in a California-based lawsuit, a similar case in Maryland remains in effect. That ruling allows employees in 19 states and Washington, D.C. to remain on paid administrative leave while litigation is ongoing.
Agencies involved in the California case include:
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Defense
- Department of Energy
- Department of the Interior
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of the Treasury
Legal Background and Administration Pushback
The Trump administration initiated the terminations as part of an efficiency effort led by the Department of Government Efficiency. The administration argued that U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who ordered the reinstatements, exceeded his authority by interfering with executive personnel decisions.
The lawsuit was brought by labor unions and nonprofit organizations, though no individual employees are listed as plaintiffs. The Supreme Court’s ruling addressed only the nonprofit groups’ claims.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Alsup’s ruling was criticized by the administration for allegedly violating the separation of powers by allowing a district court to override executive branch decisions. Former acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued that reinstating workers on a “hastily devised” basis undermined federal personnel management processes.
Harris also noted that the Maryland case, overseen by Judge James Bredar, differed in that it only required administrative leave, not full reinstatement. She emphasized that the Merit Systems Protection Board had separately mandated the reinstatement of some Department of Agriculture employees.
Despite the government’s objections, the challengers argued that the administration had already stated in another filing that it had “substantially complied” with the original order—suggesting the immediate need for Supreme Court intervention was reduced.
